The Gustavus Adolphus College Forensics Team participated in the 31st American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET) April 5-7 on the University of Texas at Austin campus, earning a top 20 national ranking for the second consecutive year. This accomplishment is especially impressive considering 15 of the top 20 schools are Division I schools. 89 colleges and universities competed in the three-day competition. Viewed by many as the most competitive national forensics tournament in the country, the AFA-NIET awards team sweepstakes trophies to only the top 20 schools.
Senior Brittney Lovdahl became the third Gustavus student in six years to be named to the AFA-NIET All-American Team. Past recipients include Andrea Carlile, 2007 and Becky Kuehl, 2005.
Sophomore Emma Moreau became the first Gustavus student to qualify for the semifinal round in Persuasion, placing her in the top 12 out of 135 competitors in the nation.
Sophomore Mary Cunningham qualified for the quarterfinal round in Persuasion, placing her in the top 24 in the nation.
Top 20 Schools:
1. Western Kentucky University
2. Bradley University
3. University of Texas at Austin
4. Kansas State University
5. George Mason University
6. University of Alabama
7. Arizona State University
8. California State, Long Beach
9. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
10. Illinois State University
11. West Texas A&M University
12. Hastings College
13. University of Nebraska-Omaha
14. University of Texas El Paso
15. Seton Hall University
16. Saint Josephs’s University
17. Doane College
18. James Madison University
19. Rice University
20. Gustavus Adolphus College
The following students competed:
1. Brittney Lovdahl (SR): Program Oral Interpretation, Poetry, Dramatic Duo, Communication Analysis, Informative Speaking
2. Maria Siegle (JR): Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking, Persuasion
3. Tasha Carlson (JR): Dramatic Duo, Drama, Prose, Program Oral Interpretation
4. Kavan Rogness (JR): Informative Speaking, Prose, Poetry, Drama, Dramatic Duo
5. Brittani Seagren (JR): Impromptu Speaking
6. Emma Moreau (SO): Persuasion, Impromptu Speaking, Prose, Drama, After Dinner Speaking, Program Oral Interpretation
7. Mary Cunningham (SO): Persuasion, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Informative Speaking, Poetry
8. Christopher Hunt (SO): Program Oral Interpretation, Prose, Poetry, After Dinner Speaking
9. Paula Wiggam (SO): Drama, Program Oral Interpretation
10. Sean Maertens (SO): Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking
11. Alex Brakke (SO): Prose, Dramatic Duo
12. Phil Helt (FR): Persuasion, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, After Dinner Speaking, Communication Analysis, Prose
13. Austin Lafferty (FR): Extemporaneous Speaking, Informative Speaking, Impromptu Speaking
14. Claire Sagstuen (FR): Persuasive Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking
15. Marie Bushnell (FR): Program Oral Interpretation